The Pilgrimage Ch. 06

Even though you were guided, taught, and protected from conception, and you had all the qualities we were looking for; we still weren't sure if you could handle the stress of leadership, along with all the powers and abilities we would be giving you. We were watching for something dramatic to show you were worthy of our gifts. You gave it to us in spades. Your words and actions at the river Lee were entirely your own. We'd all been watching you from the very beginning. We saw how the purity of your spirit grew as you matured. But what you did that day wasn't just unexpected; it was shocking, surprising, and very exciting for all of us. We saw the true depth of your compassion, the strength of your will, and the courage of your convictions.

We knew we had our chosen one. But the Maker of All Things wasn't quite so sure. You're so young, and you had lead a relatively sheltered life. Her biggest concern was that you wouldn't be able to handle the everyday stress of ruling what is essentially a very barbaric race. Anyway, my point is that the only way that Erica's spirit could become intertwined with yours, and the rest of your battle team is if the Maker of All Things allowed it to happen. The fact that she did tells me that she is at least beginning to see you as a worthy leader despite your youth and inexperience. You have her attention now. That's one hell of an achievement, Morrigan!"

"I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not, My Goddess. She has her own agenda. Just as I'm sure you have yours, and I'm working on one of my own. Sooner or later all these different agendas are gonna clash. I have no way of knowing what the results will be when that finally happens."

"You worry too much, My Child. As long as you follow the covenants you have with her, and with us; there will be no interference from her, or from us. You're the queen of humanity, Morrigan. It's you doing the ruling and making the decisions; not us. Developing an agenda of your own pleases us to no end. It shows us that you're growing into your role as the leader of your people. Yes, it's entirely possible that eventually our agendas may follow different paths. But YOU will always be the one with the final say."

Vanessa spoke up. "Sis, do you mind if we all take some time to welcome Erica to your battle team?"

"My apologizes, Vanessa. I got a bit distracted there for a few minutes. Of course I don't mind. Erica would you please stand so that you can be properly welcomed aboard the imperial battle team?"

After everyone took their turn welcoming Erica to the team, Vanessa smirked and said, Hey, Sis, is Imperial Battle Team gonna be our official name now? If it is, I have to tell ya it kinda sucks."

"No, it's nothing official. It was just something that just sorta popped out of my mouth. I haven't actually decided what to call us just yet. But I am open to suggestions," Morrigan giggled.

"Well I was kinda thinking of The Royal Ass-kickers or something along those lines," Vanessa laughed.

As accurate as that may be, I don't think it'd go over with the public very well." laughed Megan. "I don't actually have a good suggestion for the name of our team. I'd have to really think about it for a while. I do have a suggestion that might be fun though. Let the public themselves choose a name. We could have a contest with one hundred semi-finalists, ten finalists, and the winner. all chosen by the people. The rules would be simple. The name must be respectful, accurate, and suitable for children. The semi-finalists would receive one hundred credits, the finalists five hundred, and the winner would get one thousand credits. The general public would have a blast, and it would definitely increase your popularity a lot, Morrigan"

Vanessa giggled. "As much as I would hate giving up my Royal Ass-kickers, I really think Megan has a great idea, Sis."

"I agree, Vanessa. Meg does have a fantastic solution that would be fun for everyone, including us. But I think the timing is a bit off. We still have to deal with the idiots in rec room twelve. We've got two executions to handle, and let's not forget, we have two heroes yet to honor and put to rest. I think we should save Meg's idea and use it as part of celebrating our arrival on Erie. I suggest that we hold the funerals first, then to lighten the mood we announce the contest," Morrigan replied.

Megan grinned. "Ooh, I love that idea! I realize that once we get planetside, we're gonna have a shitload of things that need doing. But we've got about six months worth of food in reserve for after we land. It's been a long trip cooped up in this Ark. On top of that, we've had some pretty nasty things happen. Why don't we just give everyone some time to unwind before the work really starts. What if we declared a week long celebration. We can kick it off with the name contest and add a whole bunch more. Fishing contests with prizes for the biggest fish caught and the most fish caught in a single day. Cooking contests with prizes for the most original dish and the tastiest one. Foot races, swimming races. The list of possibilities is almost endless. I know you've got a billion things you need to think about, Babe. But I'd love to take this on and plan it all out for you, if you'll let me."

"That sounds like a perfect way to begin our new life, Meg! I love it! If you think you can handle it; have at it! Hell you might even want to put together a planning committee. I'll bet if you ask around; you'll have a shit ton of volunteers willing to help you out," Morrigan replied. She looked at the time. "Fuck! It's already thirteen hundred. I've got to get back to work! We're going through the portal in about an hour! This whole day's been shot to hell already, and I haven't even started yet!"

Erica reached out grabbing both of Morrigan's hands. "Take a few deep breaths and calm down; you've got this, My Queen! We're here for you; all of us! Yes, it's been a rough day. But this is a simple task. Just go out there and do what you do best; talk to your people. I understand you're stressing out. I've been there. Remember? Just relax and go with the flow."

Morrigan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She raised Erica's hands to her lips and kissed them. "Thanks Erica; you're right. This isn't a big deal. The only reason I 'm stressed is that it feels like the day is just flying by. Everyone keeps telling me I need to slow down a bit. Guess what? I just realized that everybody is right; it's time I started pacing myself. Let's get out to the control room and get things done; one step at a time."

There was a lot of hand clapping all around the table. Megan grinned. "Well it's about damn time you wised up, Babe!"

When they got to the control room Morrigan sat in her command chair and said, "Ensign Cormier, tie me in to all decks please." She smiled and continued, "hello folks, don't worry; this is just a friendly chat. I just wanted to let everybody know that we've had to make a minor course adjustment. But because of the course change, we'll be going through the portal at about fourteen hundred. You'll probably notice a small decrease in gravity and some slight turbulence for about ten seconds. As a safety precaution I've had the observation ports shuttered for the time being. They'll be reopened as soon as we've cleared the portal. This doesn't really change our arrival time all that much. We'll reach Erie on the same day as we originally planned. But just a few hours earlier. Here's something that I hope you'll all smile about. Hope's Landing is fully mapped out. If you're curious about where your home and business will be located; all you have to do now is look at the online map and type in your name! I know we have some unpleasant business that needs finished; but let's just let that wait a bit. Relax and enjoy the ride through the portal. We all deserve an hour or so of peace and quiet. I think we've all earned at least that much after the past few days." She glanced at Ensign Cormier and he closed the channel.

A minute or so later Pete walked into the control room. Morrigan frowned and held up her hand. "Be careful what you say Uncle Pete. If you start apologizing for being with your family; I'm gonna stuff my foot up your ass. Are we clear on that, Marine? Just sit your ass in that chair and relax. I'm not gonna think about, or do a damn thing, until we've cleared the portal."

Pete chuckled softly as he sat without saying a word. He grinned when Morrigan pulled Megan down into her lap. Then listened in quiet amazement as Morrigan and the other members of her battle team talked to Erica; asking her personal questions that he would have been hard pressed to answer without being embarrassed. The questions didn't seem to really bother Erica at all though. In fact, if anything, she seemed to thrive on them, often taking the extra time to make sure that everybody fully understood her answers.

What Pete had no way of knowing was that Erica was just as amazed by the conversation as he was; though for a totally different reason. Erica never had people who actually cared about her as a woman before. Her own mother and father treated her like some disgusting lump of flesh. Although she did her best to hide it, she was really quite surprised to realize that Morrigan and the rest of the battle crew considered her as a member of their family. Something she'd never truly had before. Erica also realized that she felt the same way about them. To her, Morrigan and the others were like long lost sisters actually meeting for the first time. In Erica's mind, the questions were just her new family's way of getting to know and understand her as a sister, a friend, a team member, and most of all as a woman. The fact that they were even asking about her life showed Erica just how much she was loved. She did her best to return that love by answering every question as completely and as honestly as possible.

They were all so absorbed in their conversation that it seemed like only minutes had passed when they felt the telltale signs of the Ark passing through the portal. Morrigan kissed the top of Megan's head and asked "what do you think, Babes, should I make some sort of brief statement about this, or just let it go?"

"Either way is fine, Love. You've already told everybody it was happening. I'm sure they all felt what what we did as the Ark entered our new section of space. But a short welcoming statement would be a nice gesture," Megan replied.

"Well in that case, Uncle Pete, tie me in to all decks please." Megan tried to stand and Morrigan wrapped her arms around Megan's waist. "uh uh, you stay right where you are. It's time people knew we're a couple. If some people can't deal with it, tough shit."

"Are you sure that's wise, Babe? What with everything else going on," Megan asked.

"Wise or not, it's what I want; so just sit here and be a good girl for me."

Pete spoke up, "okay, Morrigan, you're tied in to all decks now."

"Thanks Uncle Pete. "Hello folks. I'm sure by now you all know we've crossed over into a different section of space and that our new home is that much closer! For some of us, these next few weeks will seem to fly by. For others they'll just seem to drag. However it happens for you, just remember that soon you won't have to breathe recycled air and that you'll be eating the freshest foods once again. So with that in mind, welcome to our new sector of space. I know it won't be easy, but try to relax and enjoy the rest of the ride." She glanced at Pete and he closed the channel.

"Okay, Uncle Pete. Next order of business. The fuck-nuts in rec room twelve. I really don't wanna kill them and I damn sure don't wanna waste the time and credits keeping their stupid asses locked up. But I can't just let it go either. You got any suggestions?"

"Nope, but your Aunt Sally does. I'm not sure I agree with her. If it was up to me, I'd say just space them and call it a day. But once again, she seems to know your mind better than I do. Her suggestion is that a heavy suspended sentence coupled with a very long parole time would be okay; assuming you can find a way to make it work."

"Hmm, that's an interesting idea. I think I know just how to make it work too. Joe, have you identified all the dumb asses in that room yet? Also is there any way to tell me who their patrons are?"

"I didn't have anything else to do while we were waiting to go through the portal, so yeah, I can tell you who everyone in there is. They're all from deck twenty three, sections seven through ten. Those sections are assigned exclusively to worshipers of Aphrodite."

"Perfect! Put rec room twelve on the viewer. I wanna see and hear them but I don't want them to know it yet." when the room popped on screen, Morrigan grinned. "Ooh, this gets better and better. They're all siting against the back wall talking." She created a wall to wall force field across the whole room about two feet away from the men then summoned Aphrodite.

When Aphrodite appeared, Morrigan smiled. "I need a little help from you once again Aphrodite. Could you please take all the guns and ammunition from those fools and store them upstairs with all the rest of the guns?"

"Sure." Aphrodite disarmed all of the men then said, "there ya go, Morrigan. I'm not sure what you're up to. But it promises to be interesting. Mind if I hang around and watch?"

Morrigan winked. "Yeah, go ahead and stick around a while. I promise you're gonna love this one. Okay ladies, two teams. Meg, Kelli, you're with me. The rest of you will be on standby with Vanessa as team two leader. Joe I've put a force field between those pecker heads and the exit. Open the door then let all the family members know that I'll give them fifteen minutes to spend with their loved ones. Then I'll meet them there and pass sentence."

Over the next fifteen minutes every man in that room must have felt like they had an asshole as big as the universe after being ripped a new one by every one of their family members. Morrigan wasn't able to clearly hear most of what was being said because there was so much noise. She did note that there were a lot of tears on both sides of her force field.

"Vanessa, I don't expect I'll need you and your team, but keep an eye on things just in case. Meg, Kelli, it's time to go."

The three of them appeared in the passageway just outside of the rec room door. When they entered the room Morrigan gave a shrill whistle. The whole room went instantly quiet. Morrigan looked around with a sad face then turned to the men and said, "anybody wishing to surrender get on your knees, cross your ankles, and put your hands behind your heads with your fingers interlaced."

Every man in that room knew that they were fucked. They were unarmed and trapped. They had no doubt that the only way Morrigan would show them any mercy at all was to do exactly as she had said. To them it was a life or death decision, and a prison cell was better than a casket. There wasn't one of them that even thought twice about surrendering.

"Okay, now I want everybody to let me finish what I have to say before you react. I find each and every one of you guilty of treason and terrorism. I hereby sentence each of you to death for your crimes. Said sentence will be suspended for the rest of your lives. You will all be placed on permanent parole. I give everyone one fuck up. You've had yours. Don't make another one. If you screw up again, I promise you; there will be no reprieve. Furthermore, you must pledge to obey all my laws from now on, whether you agree with them or not. If you're willing to accept my terms, stand while keeping your hands behind your head."

Every man in that room had thought that Morrigan was giving them some time to say goodbye to their families. The long hours they had spent locked in the rec room had given them plenty of time to talk and think. Everyone realized that what they had planned to do was horrible and they were deeply ashamed of themselves. They had all expected to die for what they had done. Yet it seemed like they were being giving a second chance. There was no way in hell they were gonna turn down Morrigan's offer. Every one of them stood while keeping their hands behind their heads.

Morrigan nodded solemnly. "I see we have a bargain, gentlemen. I will keep my part of it, so long as you keep yours. I'm gonna cut you one more break for the sake of your families. Although you're all convicted felons; I won't let it affect your lives in any way, as long as you live up to your end of our agreement." Morrigan made the force field disappear and continued, "you may rejoin your families now gentlemen, but remember to stay out of trouble." Morrigan, Megan, and Kelli walked out the door leaving behind a room filled with stunned people.

When Morrigan, Megan, and Kelli returned to the control room, Aphrodite pulled a surprised Morrigan in for a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She stepped back placing both her hands on Morrigan's shoulders. "You really are beginning to come into your own as a queen, Morrigan. You surprise me yet again with your compassion, understanding, and wisdom. I fully expected you to execute every man in that room. If you had, I wouldn't been upset at all; because in truth, that's exactly what they deserved. But you found a way to be merciful, and still preserve your authority as a queen. That's the kind of thinking that I not only admire, but that pleases me greatly. It might interest you to know that each one of those men have turned from being potential enemies to loyal and admiring subjects. Right at this moment I'm receiving a joint petition from the men and their families. They all want me to do something nice for you as a way of thanking you for your kindness. I've decided to accept their petition. So tell me, how I can be of service, Morrigan?"

"To tell you the truth, Aphrodite, I really can't think of anything you can do for me directly, but my love, Megan, wants to put together a week long celebration when we reach Erie. I'm sure she could use all the help you can give her."

Aphrodite laughed gaily. "You never cease to amaze me, Morrigan. Here I am offering you anything you could possibly want, or need, and you respond by asking for help for another. Very well, Megan, I am at your service. Anything you need for your party or it's planning, you only need to ask and I'll make it happen for you."

Megan giggled. "Thanks, Aphrodite, I'll remember that. Maybe we can get together after dinner for a bit. Assuming things quiet down around here. I'd love to bounce some ideas off of you and hear any suggestions that you may have."

"Planning an extended celebration is something I love doing. But I haven't done it in... damn it's been so long that I don't even wanna try remembering. Anyway, just give me a yell whenever you wanna meet up," Aphrodite replied.

Morrigan sat in her command chair pulling a giggling Megan into her lap as Aphrodite smiled. Morrigan kissed the top of Megan's head. "All right, enough chit chat; it's time we got back to work, Babes." Morrigan explained to Pete and Joe what she wanted to do. When they both said they were ready, she had Pete tie her in to all decks.

"Hello again, Folks. I'm pleased to report that the crisis in rec room twelve on deck twenty three has been peacefully resolved. I'm gonna show you a video clip of how it ended. While it does deal with mature subject matter; it's perfectly safe for young people to view. That choice is up to you. If you decide to allow your family to watch it, it would be wise to do it together. That way you can offer guidance and you will be able to answer any questions your children may have. After you've seen the clip, I'll come back and we'll chat a bit more."

Twenty minutes later Morrigan again spoke. "Some of you may be confused or surprised by how I decided to clean up that mess. So I guess a bit of an explanation is in order. Yes, I decided to let them all live. But in no way did they simply walk away free and clear. Every single one of them had better be model citizens from now on, because that death sentence will be hanging over their heads for the rest of their lives. Something as simple as shoplifting could violate their parole and cause the death penalty to be reinstated. Had they been able to carry out their hideous plan; this conversation would have taken a different turn. Honestly, the fact that I was able to prevent them from doing any harm played a big part in my decision making process. Getting settled in on Erie isn't gonna be easy either. That's an all hands on deck type of job and all those extra hands can make some things a bit easier. I also thought about the families. A single mom trying to build a life for herself and her children on a newly settled planet, would be extremely difficult to say the least. Some of you may disagree; but I'm convinced that the decision I made was the best course of action under these particular circumstances. Let me be clear about one final thing. Just because I was merciful this time, doesn't mean I will be the next time I'm faced with a similar challenge. There's a comments page available on the ships computer that's open to everyone who want's to leave a comment. Please remember that it's a public comment site that's viewable by everyone. You're free to say whatever is on your mind, but please do so respectfully. I won't promise to reply to every comment, but I will try to answer some of them." She nodded to Pete and he closed the channel.